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Taxpayer-funded lobbying is government to government lobbying. Counties, cities, school districts, public facilities, and associations of public employees frequently use public funds to influence legislation and appropriations at the state and federal levels.

This practice is controversial because public funds are spent to lobby for an agenda not subject to direct approval by voters, and outcomes may be contrary taxpayers benefit.

Out of the 12 groups that spent the most to lobby the Oregon legislature, four were government sector lobbying associations (see below) and one was the Governor's Office:[1]

Special Districts Association of Oregon spent $200,412.04

Oregon School Boards Association spent $219,633.65

Oregon Education Association spent $239,926.70

League of Oregon Cities spent $256,237.93

Office of the Governor spent $423,004.00

Issues

Oregon emergency services joined together to lobby for an emergency radio network in December 2010.[2] State officials running the project gave misleading information about the project's costs and progress to lawmakers. The project has been in the works since at least 2005.

Success of lobbying associations

Jefferson County left the Association of Oregon Counties after concerns that the county was not getting its money's worth from membership in the group.[3]